Wilmington Independent

Located along the picturesque eastern coast of North CarolinaOpens in a new window, Wilmington is a refreshing mixture of early American colonial heritage and Atlantic Ocean landscapes. With the Cape Fear River winding around the western edge of the city and the coastal island beaches of Carolina, Wrightsville and Kure on its eastern edge, Wilmington is a beautiful place for visitors to explore by foot, boat or bike. Families will love hiking through the state parks near the waterfront, while couples looking for a romantic getaway can embark on a riverboat cruise or stroll down the two-mile long boardwalk.

Climate information

Because of its setting in the coastal, southeastern part of the United States, Wilmington features a subtropical climate, which gives it hot, humid summers and mild winters. Average high temperatures in mid-summer are 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and Wilmington hotels often mark down room prices to lure in visitors. Brief afternoon thunderstorms may crop up at this time of year, while autumn sees the potential for tropical storms and even hurricanes. July, August and September are the rainiest months here. Late spring is a beautiful time of year to visit with enough warmth for a trip to the beach.

Hotel price ranges

Premier

Most hotels lie along Wilmington's northern corridor, providing easy access to main roads and short drives to the beaches. Premier hotels, such as Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Courtyard Wilmington, Residence Inn and Hilton Garden Inn, provide spacious rooms and suites in the mid-$100 range.

There are also numerous options in the historic downtown neighborhood, including Blue Heaven and Graystone Inn, with prices similar to those for premier hotels.

Budget

Families often book budget-friendly accommodations like the Days Inn, Country Inn and Suites, and Baymont Inn and Suites, which are all around $100 or less per night.

Things to see and do

Museums and mansions

With so much history, Wilmington offers varied museums for those who want to learn more about the coast. Cape Fear Museum Opens in a new window houses hands-on exhibits for children, some of the oldest photographs displaying the area, regional animal exhibits and World War II memorabilia. The Wilmington Railroad Museum, featuring some of the largest model railroads as well as vintage locomotives and railway cars, is perfect for the entire family, and celebrates the railways bringing life to Wilmington in the 1800s. The Bellamy Mansion offers a glimpse at how the well-to-do in historic Wilmington once lived.

Along the waterfront

One of the top draws for visitors to Wilmington waterfront is the self-guided tour of the USS North Carolina Battleship, a World War II relic. For those more interested in the present, a stroll along two miles of riverside boardwalk brings relaxing sea breezes.

Wilmington beaches welcome vacationing families and college students on spring break every year. The three main ocean-side beaches—Carolina, Wrightsville and Kure Beach—are located on coastal islands.

Take a break from tanning to explore the Wilmington Water Tours or Cape Fear Riverboats, which show visitors the beauty of the river and coastline as well as the docks and historical waterfront buildings.

Nature

Carolina Beach State Park offers hundreds of acres of beachside beauty for hiking and bird watching. Those who prefer delicate flowers to the rugged beauty of the ocean can check out Airlie Gardens, a century-old collection of formal landscapes, walking paths and sculpture gardens.

Travel-to information

The easiest way to travel to Wilmington is via the Wilmington International Airport (ILM), served daily by Delta, US Airways and American Airlines, which connect through Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and other major U.S. cities. The airport is a very short drive to most local hotels, as well as a 10-minute drive to historic downtown. Another way to access Wilmington is by bus; Greyhound offers daily services through its station on Harnett Street.